The Energy Hierarchy: a powerful tool for sustainability

Ten years ago, the IMechE’s Energy, Environment and Sustainability Group (EESG) produced the "Energy Hierarchy", a report that recommended putting sustainability at the heart of UK energy policy. To coincide with a webinar given on 21 May 2020, the report has been updated and republished.

• Read the full report

The Energy Hierarchy offers an effective framework to guide sustainable energy policy and decision-making.

By prioritising demand-side activities to reduce consumption and wastage and improve efficiency, the Hierarchy links closely to the principles of sustainable development and offers an integrated, easy to use, approach to energy system design and the management of energy demand and supply.

Put simply, it offers a common-sense, cost-effective, sustainable energy policy that aims to reduce energy use before seeking to meet remaining demand by the cleanest means possible.